Old food and the economic downturn

“We live in Mill Valley and eat out three to five times a week.
Lately I am noticing that we are getting old food, or poor quality
goods. I assume this is due to the downturn in the economy. I am trying to support local businesses, but I really feel like what I am getting does not make me want to come back. Any thoughts?”

That’s an interesting observation; I hadn’t linked the two, but it makes sense. Thinking back over the last month, I’ve been to several places where the seafood didn’t seem all that fresh, but I never tied it to the economic downturn.

Even if restaurants don’t turn over ingredients quickly, the kitchens may still have to serve them. The best places are more astute at ordering, and they figure out how to use less-than-pristine products in creative ways. (Some contend the classic French chefs used sauces as a way to disguise poor-quality products).